Cork handle question

[boat49]

I used a green scrubber pad on some of my older ones and it cleaned them right up, then put the U-40 on and they look like new. I now use it before I use a new rod.

[z520tom]

I put about five coats of Tru-Oil on all the cork handles on the rods I build. Tru-oil is made for coating wood gun stocks. It gives the cork a very nice appearance and will protect it from getting grimmy. It is linseed oil with driers in it. Made by Birchwood-Casey I believe. Rub handle with fine steel wool between coats. Also it is not slippery when gripping.

[Crestliner08]

I put about five coats of Tru-Oil on all the cork handles on the rods I build. Tru-oil is made for coating wood gun stocks. It gives the cork a very nice appearance and will protect it from getting grimmy. It is linseed oil with driers in it. Made by Birchwood-Casey I believe. Rub handle with fine steel wool between coats. Also it is not slippery when gripping.

I'm very familiar with Tru-Oil, having refinished several gun stocks over the years with it. Years ago (maybe 20 years now) I used it on 3 of my spinning and casting rods. After 2 seasons, the finish started to chip. I believe this was because of the flexible nature of the cork. In any case, these 3 rods don't look very good right now and I really cannot restore them without careful sanding. Something I would never do again on cork. Great product on gunstocks however. JMO!

[z520tom]

I have probably 20 spinning and casting rods that have Tru-Oil on them and have been used quit a lot. I have never seen this coating chip. I have had some of it abraided / wore off by rubbing it against hard or sharp object thou. When this happens I wipe the handle with a cleaning cloth and apply more Tru-Oil by rubbing it on the affected area with my finger tip which is the best way to apply it. My 2 cents!

[jackie53]

Custom Fishing Rod Building & Tackle Crafting Supply | mudhole.com has a lot of good info and videos on rodbuilding and repair!! Jannsnetcraft has some good products as well and info!!

[z520tom]

If one really wants a evaluation of using Tru Oil on cork rod handles I would suggest you go to the website " Rodbuilding.org " and do a search on " Tru Oil finish ". There are no less than 36 threads on this topic written by some of this countries best custom rod builders. Do your search under the "forum" section.

[bfish]

Cork is bleached and dried before installation. No need for adding anything else. Cork besides being squishy, is also very porous. Any finish that you add will require quite a bit to penetrate and completely seal. I have used both U-40 cork sealer and Tru-oil and both change the characteristics, especially the outer skin layer of the cork. I don't care for either. I generally don't clean my cork, as I prefer the patina. However both fine sandpaper or green sponge scrubber works fine. I have corks tn handle rods (custom) that are 30-35 years old and the cork is fine. Also I have lesser used fly rods that the untreated cork is fine, even though they are 50+ years old.

[Catman767]

I just treat mine with good old fish slime

[rapman1]

anyone know what chemicals are used in making u40? as everyone in my family has had cancer, except me, i am leery about using this and i have my suspicions about anything made by dow chemical co.

[crappie josh]

Heck I've always left the plastic wrapping on my cork handle till it wear it off or get it wet I've never even thought about applying anything to my handle until I was rubbing my cowboy boots down with mink oil lol haha